John Alexander

Bariatric Surgeon
Rating: 3.2 out of 5 with 190 ratings

John Alexander Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

190 Reviews for John Alexander
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My first impression of Dr. Alexander was he reminded me of Robin Williams. LOL Never seen anyone wear scrubs with cowboy boots. His staff was AWESOME!! Ricki was so nice. She made sure my husband and I were very comfortable. She didn't make me feel like I was asking her alot of questions which I was. Then next I spoke with Dee Dee over the phone and she was great also!! Dr. Alexander didn't mention much about after care but he gave us a very detailed informative session about both procedures and revisions(which is what I'm getting). My husband walked into Dr. Alexander's office TOTALLY against RNY's. You couldn't have paid him to get one. At of the end of our consultation my husband made the decision to get a RNY. He also didn't stress too much on the risk of the surgeries which I didn't expect. it would had probally scared us away. He mentioned how with any surgery there were risk. He did speak alot about the benefits of both procedures. Overall I would rate Dr. Alexander as very knowledgeable of WLS. I would recommend him to my family and close friends.

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I had my original roux en y gastric bypass in 2000 done by John Alexander. I maintained my weight loss from 246-118 for many years. Concentrating on protein, veggies then carbs at all times. As of this year no matter what I ate I would sweat then it became life threatening and dangerous. Blood sugar issues, Gout, and severe weight gain to 205 lbs. In 1 years time. I saw Dr.A again in September. He explained the issue and what needed to be done. There were so many hoops to jump through, all at his financial gain of course, endoscopy, which after, I lost my voice for 2 weeks due to my esophageal opening being streached and stomach acid bathing my vocal cords. Called the office, emailed due to no voice was told they would get something to help, NOTHING,AND I'M A SINGER. A stress test where my blood sugar dropped to 16 and I passed out, and yet "We are waiting on your sleep study and psych eval for approval", was all I heard as the blackout and passout issues got worse. Finally the admitted me through "his ER" less than a month from my my revision appointment. Still no approval, but he did surgery 10/28. I got the call later that day miraculously without the sleep study and psych eval my surgery was approved. Upon discarge from the hospital I received nothing like the first time of what to eat and how much for how long. I was so lost! I lost 30 pounds in a month. Now if I eat anything other than soft scrambled eggs, protein shakes, or mashed potatoes, EVERYTHING HURTS like I am having a heart attack and I puke. So, no post op care still I see 16 years later. He made his money, he's a famous SURGEON, he has a beautiful hospital and office but still no nutritonal care or concern. Just wants me to come back but I NEVER see him. I see a nurse who tells me what she can eat many years later not a month after an emergency revision and almost dying. It hurts to eat, drink and what I am able to eat has me deadlocked at now 168 and feeling like I am failing. It's not me failing, it's the surgeon not doing what he should which is care after the surgery is done. I'm highly disappointed that nothing has changed but what HE has gained. I'm $3000 in the hole, out of work almost 2 months, alive and miserable in fear with NO guidance. I'm at odds because no one else will guide me with it being Dr. A's work. So almost 2 months out of revision surgery and as lost and more fearful as the day I walked in and just grateful to be alive, angry but grateful.
What about a dietition, a nutritional guide based on the many tubes of blood he took for nutritonal evaluation before the endoscopy at "his hospital", so they said or was it to make more money? Help me get better and healthier, guide me.

1 of 2 people found this helpful

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He is a wonderful surgeonl! I have sent several patients to him and they are all happy! He actually sits you down and draws out the surgery not just handing you a photocopied picture. I had my surgery 2-6-98.
I have maintained a 115 lb weight loss.
Dr. Alexander is a wonderful person and a wonderful surgeon. I am thankful for the amount of weight that I have lost.
I do feel that is one long term weakness is follow up and the importance of good nutrition and vitamin supplementation and long delays at follow up appts. The long appts waits are one thing but I find that the lack of proper follow up and nutrition and supplementation support is a serious issue. When I had my surgery he was one of the few surgeons in the area.

Addedum: I have reached out to Dr. Alexanders office multiple times over the years via e-mail. No one has ever reached out to me. Follow up from your medical professional is an important part. Surgeons that just want to re-arrange your insides without giving you good information about nutrition, supplementation etc. should not be doing bariatric surgery.

1 person found this helpful

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While I maintain a weight of 139 pounds, I have been on disability for the past 3 and 1/2 years due to health issues. I would recommend that everyone do extended research before having a gastric bypass. I can not in good faith recommend the surgeon that I used. I have been hospitalized so many times since my surgery for stomach problems, one major surgery last year to repair two hernia's. The pain has been unbearable and my health continues to decline. Would I do it again? I'm afraid the answer would be no. It is hard to live with the fact that I have done this to myself.

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I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw him for the first time. My husband & I went there mainly to see if he thought I could even survive trying to have surgery, or if I was just too far past hope. He was most reassuring that I wasn't the hugest person in the world, which I found very comforting.
(I just knew I had to be the biggest person in Texas!) He ansewerd a lot of questions before I could even ask, he certainly did not rush. My husband felt very confident with him as well. He does have support groups, but I saw him just after their meeting for this month, so will have to wait & see how they are next month. He has an aftercare progam according to what I have been told.
A friend had gone to him & begged me to see him before going anywhere else. I would have never considered him otherwise, as I was going by who was in my insurance book.
His reputation, from all that I have gathered, is excellent. He has yet to lose a patient or have major life altering complications. He has preformed over 2400 surgeries & has operated on patients even over 800 lbs. That gives me confidence that he can handle my size even more. I will certainly know more about his bedside manner & surgical competence in time.
Well, I think he is a magnificant surgeon & very competent! But I was really disappointed by his bedside manner. There wasn't any really, at least in my case. He never came to see me after the surgery, except to stick his head in when I was in ICU to say he was sending me to the floor. Then I never saw him again until the evening I was waiting to go home & couldn't because he had not been in to discharge me. So although I would recommend him, I would want you to be aware he is not a hand holder.

1 person found this helpful

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He is very knowledgable.
He is an excellent surgeon, but horrible on follow-up
They are very friendly and helpful in getting the process going.
I really liked his bedside manner. He also will answer any questions that you may have.
The follow-up leaves a lot lacking.
He really knows what he is doing on the surgical end.
He does not emphasize aftercare at all.
No there is no structured program.
He will tell you anything you want to know and will let you know all of the risks.
I would rate him as excellent for the surgery. I have had no complications from the surgery so far.
I think that both were great. It was only the aftercare that was a problem.

1 person found this helpful

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The office appointment was about 4 hours late but was worth the wait. He was very supportive at his appointments and in the hospital, but I came from out of the area and all followup was done by my personal doctor. His office staff, which has since been replaced, was rude and over charged my insurance which took 2 years to get taken care of. The aftercare was terrible since I am out of the area and took forever to get returned calls to my personal doctor for information. I finally called him at home and got the answers we needed and he said his staff never informed him of my calls. Hmmm !

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He was mean and he called me fat but in a cute way ;)
That he truely cared about my well being.

They were sooooooo slow.

He is very blunt with you and will tell you like it is but you will see by his personality he mean nothing but good. Future patients should be aware that the process is long if they are using insurance and the waiting time before an office visit can be 2-3 hours long. I don't know, I did my own after care program (TAKE YOUR VITAMINS IF YOU PLAN TO HAVE THIS DONE)

He told me the risks of the surgery but I was so anxious to have it done I pretty much ignored them at 19 years old and evidently they did not effect me. I would rate him a 9 just because no one is perfect. Surgical competence is the best, he lives to cut on people and hasn't lost a patient yet

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Dr. A seems knowledgable and postive. His wait in his office pathetic. BUT...he's servicing patience next door at the hospital, according to his office people...that is encouraging. Tina's great...Ann's great (all though quiet) adn Michelle is as well. I got most of my education from here or from NeWeigh, I was initially going to use Dr. Alanis down there in Houston, opted out, because of the distance. I suggest strongly in getting in contact with NewWeigh if you are near one....AMAZING people, Denise Shumate is an ANGEL! I love her! I have had to really stay on Ann about my claim and getting paperwork over to Cigna...but it'll all be worth it come post op. :-)

I did not choose this Dr., I chose Dr. Alexander. He's an ingenius surgeon, but his after care program stunk at the time. I hear it's WAY better now. I think that aftercare is as important the surgery or the surgeon. His personell in his office changes alot...something causes that, what? I duno. :-) Great surgeon and I can't say enough good things about that...very cute little Greek man. :-)

1 person found this helpful

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I had my gastric bypass 2 years ago on 2/14/2011. I started at 258lbs and now I am a healthy 128 lbs. I can honestly say that Dr. Alexander is a wonderful doctor and his staff is excellent!! Dr. Alexander is very caring person and will work with you one on one. The staff is AA++!! When I had questions there was someone there to always answer them. Thank you, Dr. Alexander!! I hope in the future that there will be more physicians that will follow you lead and aspire to be just as professional and caring as you!! Thank you!

Darcel Williams

Overall
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